Abstract.

A multi-nucleon transfer reaction using an 850 MeV 136Xe beam incident on a 198Pt target was used to populate high-spin states in 184W, 14 nucleons from the target. A 4-quasiparticle isomer with \(t_{1/2} = 188 \pm 38\) ns has been observed for the first time and its de-excitation through collective and intrinsic structures studied. The results are compared with predictions of blocked BCS Nilsson calculations. Observation of this metastable state completes the tungsten 4-quasiparticle isomer systematics from A = 176 to 186. Mapping out the most yrast 4-quasiparticle isomers in these even-even tungsten isotopes suggests the existence of a highly favoured state in 188W, within reach of current experimental set-ups.